View Single Post
Old 2nd March 2026, 04:34 AM   #5
Jayaningkurnia
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Default

To my limited knowledge, keris ganan design (i.e. keris that features fauna/mythical creatures on the gandhik) have existed since the Hindu/Buddha period in Java. This also align with the religious observance/mythology of these religions that often involves such creatures (vs Islam which forbid depiction of living beings - instead uses abstracted designs).

According to folk tradition, nogo keris design (nagaraja, nagasasra, naga temanten, &c.) hailed back at least to the Majapahit era, with the creation story of dapur Nagasasra by empu Supo to 'ruwat'/cleanse Majapahit being one of the most widely known legend in the tosan aji community. I have seen a few krises that are claimed as such, unfortunately I don't have sufficient knowledge to validate, but at least to my eyes these specimen looks convincing.

Meanwhile, the singo keris design is even older, supposedly at least harking back to the Singasari era (though I have not seen any speciment yet). I have handled and seen in person a mojo keris with 'singo barong' on the gandhik, described as following "Singosari-style" singo, rather than Mojo-style singo (apparently differences on the stance and the tail carvings). To me, the keris blade itself is a rather convincing sample of a mojo-era keris (based on the wesi, design/'rancang bangun', and pamor). Though of course more of the kerises in circulation with singo ricikan are from the islamic mataram era.
Jayaningkurnia is offline   Reply With Quote